this post was submitted on 24 Aug 2024
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I decided on cleaning my laptop fans today, which I've been procrastinating for about a year now because of this one screw. But I just can't seem to open this with my screwdriver, since whatever I did back when I last opened it it's nearly circular now. Is there a way to unscrew this?

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[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

From the two photos you've posted, it looks like there's a little bit of the grooves left in the top of the screw, but not enough for your screwdriver to grip.

Try the rubber band trick first, mainly because it doesn't cost you anything other than a rubber band to try. The combination of the little bits of the grooves and the grip from the band might do it.

If it doesn't, a sacrificial screwdriver might work. You basically need to file off the pointy tip of the screwdriver until it can reach what's left of the grooves, and unscrew it with a bit of downward pressure.

Good luck ๐Ÿ‘

[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (4 children)

The same thing happened to me..... Luckily it was one of screws on the outer edges of the thermal housing. HP's screws are such dogshit that they get easily stripped. I tried everything from rubber band to superglue. Eventually I had to drilled the screw head away.

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[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Use pliers and try not to break anything. It worked with my Lattitude, but the heatsink was still stuck on the CPU.

[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

Use a piece of leather or some multiple sheets of masking tape

[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

Looks like a screwdriver with a slit and the right size might still be able to grab it.

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Id probably try a pair of pliers

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Maybe try using a file to make flat sides on the outside of the head so you can use a wrench on it? (Not sure if that would be better or worse than the Dremel/slot idea... you would risk scratching the surface of the object it's on.)

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

If you have one of the other screws, and you're dead sure it's the same size, you can use a tiny drill bit that is the size of the screw's shaft minus the threads. Careful drill through the center. The Phillips divit should center your bit.

You might only use this after trying the others here.

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

If you didn't have a Dremel, try channel lock pliers or vise grips. It's not going to be in there right and rusted or anything, you just need something to grip it.

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

sometimes, you can weld something on and use that as a handle

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Is the groove for the screwdriver filled in? ๐Ÿคจ

Maybe just chisel out your own grooves to use whatever style driver you like. Should be doable with a dremel if you have a small enough cutting wheel.

[โ€“] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Ask Frieren to do it for you

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[โ€“] [email protected] -1 points 2 months ago

I think the answer is no.

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